A brutal two-hole stretch on the back nine cost Border amateur Zach Murray any chance of a top 10 finish on Sunday in the Queensland Open. Fresh from his maiden win on the Australasian Tour in the WA Open, Murray continued his red-hot form with an opening six-under par 65 at the Brisbane Golf Club on Thursday. He followed that with 70 and 71 to remain in contention, but successive double bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes derailed his hopes. Murray fired a six on the par-four 15th and then posted a seven on the par-five. He finished the round with a four-over 75, tied for 20th. Murray started the final round in style, shooting birdie on the second hole. Bogeys on five and nine damaged his hopes, but he responded with a birdie on 12 before the disappointment late in the round. Despite that disappointment, Murray will learn an enormous amount from his fadeout as he considers turning professional. It’s extremely difficult for any player, let alone an amateur, to consistently fire under-par rounds and perhaps the excitement of the win in the $100,000 event the previous weekend took its toll on the exciting youngster. As an amateur, Murray was ineligible to claim the $18,000 first prize. Murray will now focus on the $400,000 NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in western Sydney, starting on Thursday, followed by the Australian Open at The Lakes course in Sydney the following week.

Golfer Zach Murray battles late to finish tied for 20th in the Queensland Open

Zach Murray struggled late in his final round in the Queensland Open, finishing tied for 20th at the Brisbane Golf Club.

A brutal two-hole stretch on the back nine cost Border amateur Zach Murray any chance of a top 10 finish on Sunday in the Queensland Open.

Fresh from his maiden win on the Australasian Tour in the WA Open, Murray continued his red-hot form with an opening six-under par 65 at the Brisbane Golf Club on Thursday.

He followed that with 70 and 71 to remain in contention, but successive double bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes derailed his hopes.

Murray fired a six on the par-four 15th and then posted a seven on the par-five.

He finished the round with a four-over 75, tied for 20th.

Murray started the final round in style, shooting birdie on the second hole.

Bogeys on five and nine damaged his hopes, but he responded with a birdie on 12 before the disappointment late in the round.

Despite that disappointment, Murray will learn an enormous amount from his fadeout as he considers turning professional.

It’s extremely difficult for any player, let alone an amateur, to consistently fire under-par rounds and perhaps the excitement of the win in the $100,000 event the previous weekend took its toll on the exciting youngster.

As an amateur, Murray was ineligible to claim the $18,000 first prize.

Murray will now focus on the $400,000 NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in western Sydney, starting on Thursday, followed by the Australian Open at The Lakes course in Sydney the following week.